KENNESAW, GA, November 20, 2007 – Boating® Magazine, the most widely read powerboat magazine in the world, today announced the Yamaha AR230 High Output as Boating magazine’s Boat of the Year.

This recognition of the AR230 High Output represents the first time a jet driven boat has been awarded this honor.  According to Boating magazine “…the jet-powered runabout has matured into a well-mannered craft. In fact, with this boat, the time has come to drop the qualifier.  It’s a runabout.  One that not only holds its own among the reigning stern drives but, in many ways, betters them…It’s a design that can’t be duplicated on a stern drive-powered boat.”

The full-featured AR230 High Output is Yamaha’s flagship tower boat that combines advanced marine technology such as internal drive propulsion with an innovative cockpit layout and feature list in which everything is standard.

According to Boating magazine, the AR230 High Output rose to the top of their list based on the success of the boat as the best-selling model in the 23-foot runabout class, the boat’s innovative design, and overall fresh thinking.

“The AR230 High Output, as well as the rest of the line of our boats, continue to be the most successful models in their category because they do a better job of meeting customer expectations in the areas of quality, comfort, performance, and value than do the products offered by our competitors,” said Yamaha WaterCraft President Mark Speaks.  “We appreciate Boating magazine acknowledging the hard work and commitment that it takes to bring a boat like the AR230 High Output to market.”

Boating magazine’s Boat of the Year is chosen each year by the magazine’s editorial staff based on performance, innovation and value and is regarded as one of the marine industry’s highest honors.  The magazine’s “Boat of the Year” issue is on newsstands now.